Report: US warships stationed off Iranian coast

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

Source: Raw Story; Stratford

Report: US warships stationed off Iranian coast

By Daniel Tencer
Sunday, June 27th, 2010 -- 4:22 pm

As unconfirmed reports of an imminent Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities pick up steam in the Middle Eastern media, a US-based strategic intelligence company has released a chart showing US naval carriers massing near Iranian waters. The chart, published by Stratfor and obtained by the Zero Hedge financial blog, shows that over the last few weeks a naval carrier -- the USS Harry S Truman -- has been positioned in the north Indian Ocean, not far from the Strait of Hormuz, which leads into the Persian Gulf. The carrier joins the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was already located in the area. The chart is dated June 23, 2010.

Reports of mass movements of Israeli and US naval warships have been circulating through the media for weeks. On June 19, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that 12 US and Israeli warships were seen moving through the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. And a report from the Associated Press published Saturday evening cited "unconfirmed" reports from Israeli and Iranian media that Saudi Arabia has allowed Israel to use its territory in preparation for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

- SNIP -

The claims that Israel may be preparing for an assault on Iranian nuclear facilities were strengthened this weekend by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who told reporters at the G8 summit in Canada that G8 leaders "believe absolutely" that Israel will "probably" strike Iran. “Iran is not guaranteeing a peaceful production of nuclear power the members of the G8 are worried and believe absolutely that Israel will probably react preemptively,” Berlusconi said, as quoted at Ha'aretz.

CIA director Leon Panetta said Sunday that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build two nuclear bombs. In an interview on ABC's This Week, Panetta also said he believed the recent spate of international and US sanctions against Iran will not convince the country to change course on its nuclear program. "Will it deter them from their ambitions with regards to nuclear capability? Probably not," Panetta said.

Read more: http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0627/report-warships-stationed-iranian-coast/

---

> The link for Stratfor: http://www.stratfor.com/
> The link for Zero Hedge: http://www.zerohedge.com/article/uss-carrier-harry-truman-now-officially-just-iran-israel-allegedly-plotting-imminent-tehran-

> A few comments from the cited link at Raw Story certainly provoke consideration and debate:

1. Confus
"As the World Burns," will history categorize it as an Israeli 'blitzkreig' or as an Israeli 'Pearl Harbor' style sneak attack? And will Obama be categorized with Chamberlain or Mussolini?

2. Shiva
"Lieberman at this moment is gathering tissues in case they attack. This smacks of an all day orgasm for him. As far as I'm concerned, if the US takes part in or supports Israel militarily all hell is going to break loose. There is no doubt in my mind that Iran has agents in the US and in Israel to pull off some actions, the price of oil will skyrocket and China will be ANGRY that they are losing a source of oil for a while. Irans newest facilities are well underground. Israel wont touch them but wil set off a firestorm of insurgent actions."

3. Robin Cooper
"Welcome to WWIII."

[niceypoo]

1. Not good

[SpiralHawk]

6. Doubleplus ungood

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. Who authorized this from the US?

I don't recollect any approval?

[Pavulon]

4. Authorized what, bad unsoruced writing from raw story?

please, the navy has been positioning ships off coasts for hundreds of years. We have run operations in the gulf for at least 30 years. We do have a war there, right?

This is un-sourced trash.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

12. I was wondering?

[Pavulon]

3. Is the sun still rising in the east? Yep

there will be naval assets in the gulf. Hard to take a article with "all day orgasm".

This is not LBN, it is unconfirmed crap.

[eomer]

45. "all day orgasm" was not in the article, it was in a comment posted by some anonymous person.

It took me 10 seconds to confirm what was already pretty obvious from the OP.

BTW, I'm not expressing an opinion on the veracity of the article, just correcting the record on that one comment.

[Lurks Often]

5. Probably just crappy reporting

1. We almost always have a carrier group covering the Middle East
2. The carrier group RARELY goes in the Persian Gulf as this restricts the carrier group's movement
3. Where the carrier group is reported as being is the usual spot for it to operate from.


However if the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier group does NOT leave the area within the next 3-5 days, then it becomes much more likely that something is going on.

[kenny blankenship]

7. this morning I saw a jersualem post article stating that Israeli airplanes were over Saudi

Not just using Saudi airspace but landing and using SA as a base.
link for the link pleasers:
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=179274

You never know what is disinfo and what's for real though.

[Joanne98]

8. God Dammit!

[SunnySong]

9. Well since we have a war going on next door (Iraq not Afghanistan you smart ass)

It wouldn't surprise me that the navy occasionally visits the war zone.

[Redstone]

10. Oh, horseshit. "Unconfirmed reports?" "Mass movements of ships" And most ridiculously,

"Saudi Arabia has allowed Israel to use its territory in preparation for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.?"

Yeah, right.

Get back to me in five days or so and let me know how this all worked out, OK? I have $100 in real US currency that says the whole thing is pure alarmist / conspiracy-nutter raving.

Care to take me up on that bet?

Redstone

[Knight Hawk]

23. I am on

There is an at least 50/50 chance Israel will attack Iran by the end of the year.Here is why 1. Israel ,in their current leaderships mind,has to do something.They have the Likud party in with Netanyahu /Liberman (related to our Liberman) and they just cant let Iran go Nuke ,especially on their watch.2. Russia has lately told Iran they would NOT sell them the highly effective S300 anti aircraft missle,Iran really needed it to defend its sites,Israel feared this weapon. 3. Israel has a Hizbullah problem on there border ,Hizbullah is getting stronger by the day being supplied by Iran with missles that can hit almost all of Israel.Israel cannot tolerate this much longer.In their mind they HAVE to severly dmage Iran,Hizbullah and possibly Syria.4.Israel had a full scale country wide"dry run" civilian preparation for being attacked in the last month or so.Everyone in Israel has been issued a gas mask.5.Israel has Obama where they want him they beat him at 3D chess.I could go on.Israeli leaders are asking themselves if not us ,who?If not now ,when?I wonder what Rahm wsa doing in Israel for so long lately,just a Bar Mitsvah????????????

[The Magistrate]

24. By All Means, Sir: Tell Us What Mr. Emmanuel Was Doing In Israel....

[Knight Hawk]

26. A guessl

Rahm is a member of the IDF ,reserves I think,and was involved in the 2006 war with Lebanon .Some of his family live in israel ,he may be a dual Israeli/American citizen as many prominent American Jews are.Obviously as a long time friend of Obama and as his chief of staff and with the recent dust up in US/Israeli relationship it is not hard to believe that Rahm did some "business" while over there .He stayed quite a long time .It raised some peoples interest that he was there for so long and went right when rumors were coming out he was leaving the admin by the end of the year .Maybe its all smoke but my gut tells me he was NOT just partying.He is a natural born political animal and was either delivering a message and /or fishing around to see if he could find out what was going on.Stay Tuned .This story is just beginning.

[The Magistrate]

35. Do, Pleae, Sir, Be More Specific: This Is Looking Quite Fun....

You might start by specifying what you claim he did as a member of the Israli defense forces during 2006 n Lebanon. Further fun can await settling that....

If your gut tells you things, Sir, have you looked into the possibility of a talking tape-worm?

[LeftishBrit]

52. He is not a dual citizen.

He was as a child (through having an Israeli father), but gave up his Israeli citizenship on reaching the age of 18.

Most American (or Europaean) Jews have never been Israeli citizens.

[JoeyT]

42. I wouldn't take that bet.

We've already got two wars in the Middle East, both of which are unpopular with the left, at least one of which is unpopular with absolutely everyone else. Our forces are stretched thin as it is, and we're damned near broke. They're not going to start a third one right before an election.

Edited to add: And the people that would cheer on attacking Iran are NEVER going to vote for a Democratic politician anyway.

[Baclava]

51. I think you won a bet - - 'Truman Carrier Strike Group Relieves Eisenhower'

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will relieve the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG as Commander, Task Force 50 July 2, beginning a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Under Task Force 50, Truman CSG will conduct close air support missions in support of coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan while conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the AOR.

The Truman CSG deployed May 21 from its homeport of Norfolk, Va., and includes Carrier Strike Group 10, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), USS Normandy (CG 60), Destroyer Squadron 26, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Ross (DDG 71), Carrier Air Wing 3 and its associated squadrons; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 "Gunslingers," VFA 32 "Swordsmen," VFA 37 "Ragin Bulls," Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 "Checkerboards," Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 "Seahawks," Electronic Attack Squadron 130 "Zappers," and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 7 "Dusty Dogs."

Eisenhower will return to its homeport of Norfolk, Va.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54336

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

11. Second supporting source....

ISRAEL 'PLOTS TEHRAN RAID'
Posted on » Saturday, June 26, 2010

MANAMA: Israel is massing warplanes in the Caucasus for an attack on Iran, it was revealed yesterday. Preparations are underway to launch the military attack from Azerbaijan and Georgia, reports our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej, quoting military sources.

Israel was, in fact, training pilots in Turkey to launch the strike and was smuggling planes into Georgia using Turkish airspace, they said. However, Turkey was unaware of Israel's intention of transferring the planes to Georgia, the sources said.

- SNIP -

Azerbaijan-based intelligence units, working under the cover of technicians, trainers and consultants, have helped with the preparations, the sources said. Military equipment, mostly supplied by the US, was transported to a Georgian port via the Black Sea. Georgian coastguard and Israeli controllers are co-operating to hide the operations from Russian vessels, said the sources.

- SNIP -

Meanwhile, Iran's Press TV reported that a very large contingent of US ground forces had massed in Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border. The independent Azerbaijani news website Trend confirmed the report.

Those reports came just days after the Pentagon confirmed that an unusually large fleet of US warships had indeed passed through Egypt's Suez Canal en route to the Gulf. At least one Israeli warship reportedly joined the American armada. Press TV also quoted Iranian Revolultionary Guard Brigadier General Mehdi Moini as saying that the country's forces are mobilised and ready to face Israelli and American "misadventures" near its borders.

- SNIP -

http://www.opednews.com/populum/linkframe.php?linkid=114296

[The Magistrate]

18. This, Sir, Is Simply Poor Comedy

The first snippets had a certain surface plausibility, at least, but this is simply someone making stuff up, and doing a damned poor job of it.

[PacerLJ35]

50. I highly doubt Israel is training pilots in Turkey now...

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

13. Number three....

ISRAEL TODAY
Headline News
Thursday, June 24, 2010 Israel Today Staff

Report: Israel, US preparing for war with Iran

A flurry of news reports over the past week indicate that Israel and the US are readying for an imminent military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. On Wednesday, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported that about a week ago a squad of Israeli military aircraft landed at a military airstrip in Saudi Arabia, of all places. It was reported earlier this month that Saudi Arabia had agreed to let Israel pass through its airspace in order to strike Iran.

The Israeli aircraft reportedly landed at the airport in Tabuk in northwest Saudi Arabia, which according to the report will act as the central base of operations for the Israeli air campaign against Iran. Fars cited a local Saudi resident who said the Israeli presence and cooperation between the ruling local Saudi prince and the Jewish state was the talk of the town.

Saudi Arabia does not have formal relations with Israel, and publicly refers to the Jewish state as an enemy. But Riyadh is just as fearful of an Iranian nuclear bomb as Israel, and would likely resort to any means to avoid having its regional economic influence disturbed. At the same time, Iran's Press TV reported that a very large contingent of US ground forces had massed in neighboring Azerbaijan. The independent Azerbaijani news website Trend confirmed the report.

Those reports came just days afterthe Pentagon confirmed that an unusually large fleet of US warships had indeed passed through Egypt's Suez Canal en route to the Persian Gulf. At least one Israeli warship reportedly joined the American armada.

http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=21385

[The Magistrate]

17. Actual Source, Sir, is F.A.R.S., An Iraian Propaganda Source, With Zero Credibility

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

14. And, number four! ....

U.S. Military Surrounds Iran
Chances of Israeli Bombing Increase

By Christian A. DeHaemer
Friday, June 25th, 2010

There are a number of Arab media reports that have said that Saudi Arabia has permitted Israel Air Force choppers to land in its country. The reports go on to claim that Saudi leaders have offered the IAF a logistical base in the northwest that would act as a stage for an aerial assault against Iran...

This is further backed by a report in the Times of London from two weeks ago; the story said the Saudi Royal Family has agreed to allow IAF jets in the country's airspace. Yet both the IDF and Saudi officials have denied these reports. Here is a must-read on the change in the balance of power in the region due to a Turkey-Iran alliance.

- SNIP -

Much more at the link:

http://www.energyandcapital.com/articles/us-millitary-surrounds-iran/1192

[The Magistrate]

20. This Is Not News, Sir; It Is A Sales-Pitch By A Futures Swindler....

[Pharaoh]

15. Well then!

let the games begin ! :toast:


Yes I think it's nuts, but unfortunately they don't listen to me :shrug:

[bossy22]

16. isnt the truman replacing the eisenhower

in providing air support to operations going on their. its a normal occurance

[Turbineguy]

19. Read the last part:

http://debka.com/article/8868/

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

21. Yet another, makes it five .....

USS Carrier Harry Truman Now Officially Just Off Iran, As Israel Allegedly Plotting An Imminent Tehran Raid

As we first reported last week, in an article that was met with much original skepticism, the Pentagon has now confirmed that a fleet of 12 warships has passed the Suez Canal, and is now likely awaiting orders to support the escalation in the Persian Gulf. The attached image from Startfor shows the latest positioning of US aircraft carrier groups as of June 23: the USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) is now right next to USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), both of which are waiting patiently just off Iran.

As for the catalyst the two carriers may be anticipating, we provide the following update from the Gulf Daily News where we read that Israel may be on the verge of an attack of Iran, with an incursion originating from military bases in Azerbaijan and Georgia.

- SNIP -

http://stocksthatpay.com/?p=9529

[The Magistrate]

22. Not Really, Sir: Just Various Mirrorings Of An Original Source Or Two

Most of which are fabricators, and the rest of which are engaged in presenting routine events in breathless tones....

[hayu_lol]

25. This repeating very doubtful claim that two carrier battle groups...

are IN the Persian Gulf and just offshore Iran sounds unbelievable to me. Carrier battle groups on station(normal)outside the gulf are fairly safe from land-based attacks. In the gulf itself, they would be sitting ducks. Two such groups would consist of about 30 surface ships...not much room for them to navigate around each other. Being inside the gulf would make prime targets for land-based missiles and aircraft plus small fast gunboats.

All this info sounds both impractical and nonsensical to the extreme. Further, I doubt that the Saudi's would allow Israeli aircraft of any type on their soil.

Given the current Iraqi situation, it could be possible for the Israelis to stage out of one of our bases there.

Something else must be going on that this sideshow is the screen for.

[Knight Hawk]

29. Believe It!

The Saudis fear the Iranians(Persians) more than they do the Israelis.They actually don't fear the Israelis they want the Palestine problem settled so they can all be happy .Make love and money not war.The current allignment in the area is :US,Israel,Saudis,Egypt,Christian and Sunni Muslim Lebanon against Shia Iran,Shia Hizbullah,Syria (mostly Sunni but run by the ASSAD family(Alewite)and Hamas.Iraq leadership is more shia than Sunni and once we leave ,if we do ,would probably be more likely to come under Iran's influence than the Sunni,Israeli,American side.Its complicated.Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states hate and fear the Persians.

[MiniMe]

38. You are linking a site called Stocks that Pay as a news source?

[on point]

27. An attack on Iran would be a war crime - pure and simple.

There is no legal justification for an attack on Iran. ANY attack, be it surgical, all out, or an attempt to overthrow their government would be a war crime under international law and put Obama in the company of Bush and Hitler.

America needs to get off this idea they have the right to attack any one they want. THEY DO NOT.

Supporting Israel, via logistics or diplomatic cover, would be just as bad.

There is no rational for such an attack.

[indepat]

28. Here, here

:P

[IScreamSundays]

43. Oh please

Obviously you don't remember March 2003

[Ozymanithrax]

30. Iran stated that if Israel attacked them they would hold us responsible...

so in this, we are damned either way. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/09/iran.nuclear)

Saudi Arabia will not give Israel Air Corridor to strike Iran
The reason they won't do that is that they would commit an act of war against Iran by doing so, and come under possible retaliation.

[Skip Intro]

31. Israel will not rest until Iran is attacked. It will happen.

I just hope this thing isn't purposely being timed to somehow coincide with our elections here. I don't see how that would benefit anyone politically, just me being cynical probably.

[on point]

32. Israel needs the BIG RED LIGHT!!

Israel needs to be told in no uncertain terms they are not to attack iran. If they do, they should face international condemnation and retribution, including from the United States.

This should be swift and severe, starting with cutting off all USA funding ($5billion annually, half our foreign 'aid'), cutting off all military supplies, the seizure and detainment of any Israeli war assets and personnel involved, the seizure of their foreign bank accounts in order to pay Iran war reparations and the bringing to the world court their leadership for war crimes.

If the US aids or participates in this war crime, then those responsible should be brought to justice too.

[Ghost Dog]

47. True, all that, looked at objectively. n/t

[Alcibiades]

33. Another war in the Mideast

Not helpful.

[proteus_lives]

34. Same chicken-little shit you've been seeing on DU since 2005.

"War with Iran! Israel! US!" :eyes:

[Dreamer Tatum]

36. Please have a look at my avatar

Attacks on Iran have been "imminent" since 2001, at least.

[cosmicone]

37. More psy-ops. Iran is not Iraq -- it can bite back and bite hard. n/t

[Dreamer Tatum]

39. Not really.

As sad as this sounds, if we really wanted to, we could blind Iran's air defenses and bomb them mercilessly until we decide to stop. They might eventually strike back, but if we really got the notion to hurt them, it wouldn't be pretty.

[conspirator]

53. Would you be ready for the murder and terrorist attacks of US interests and allies worldwide? n/t

[mckara]

40. We Can't Be Timid as a World Power

Sometimes, we must do disdainful things. This type of action is more meaningful than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[PacerLJ35]

41. Just being in the Persian Gulf is considered "off the coast" of Iran...it's not that big

Being in international waters in the Gulf isn't too far from either Saudi or Iranian shores. US ships have been there for a very long time. Just sensational reporting. We've been waiting for this supposed imminent attack for years now.

[Ghost Dog]

48. ... And Diego Garcia is always

where and what it is.

[Lagomorph]

44. If memory serves...

Two carriers in the region is typical to support operations in Iraq & Afghanistan and each group will have a half dozen escorts for air and submarine defense.

[olegramps]

46. Is this propaganda generated by Iran to actually protect themselves from attack?

I don't know what is going on, but just for the purpose of speculation could this be the case. If it was really the case that Israel and United States was preparing to attack Iran this must one of the least guarded secrets of the decade.

[Baclava]

49. The USS Eisenhower is headed home and the USS Harry S Truman strike group is taking it's place

Normal rotation.

OPSEC says you don't talk about where you're going - only where you've been


Harry S. Truman CSG transits Suez Canal

Enters 5th Fleet area of responsibility
Published : Monday, 21 Jun 2010, 2:54 PM EDT

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea - The Navy says the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which departed Norfolk on May 21, entered the 5th Fleet area of responsibility Friday after completing a successful transit through the Suez Canal.

The Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is relieving the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG as part of a routine rotation of forces. The Eisenhower CSG left Norfolk on January 2.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/Harry-S-Truman-Carrier-Strike-Group-transits-Suez-Canal